Grilled Pineapple Chicken

Grilled Pineapple Chicken is a quick and easy dinner made on the grill! Marinate the chicken breasts ahead of time, then grill them until juicy. While grilling, add pineapple rings for a delicious caramelized flavor. Top the chicken with pineapple and serve for a simple, flavorful meal!

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If you love pineapple, this BBQ Pineapple Chicken is a twist on our super popular Grilled Pineapple Pork Chops recipe! They are both such a quick and easy grilled dinner idea!

You’re going to love the taste and the flavor of this delicious chicken recipe. Combining the grilled flavor with a bit of sweetness really sets this recipe apart!

I love that it’s a quick and easy grilled dinner recipe for the summer. I usually make the marinade the night before and toss it in the bag and then when I come home from work the next night it’s ready to make! We’ve got loads of amazing easy grilled chicken recipes for you to check out this summer.

We love pairing it with a simple recipe on the grill like Grilled Asparagus or Grilled Sweet Potatoes.

why you’ll love this recipe

• This recipe could not be any easier. Anyone can throw this recipe on the grill!
• The marinade only has 2 ingredients plus seasonings, all items you already have in your pantry.
• The grilled pineapple slices taste like such a sweet treat with the saucy chicken breasts.

ingredients for grilled pineapple chicken

• Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are most convenient for cooking and eating.
• Canned pineapple rings – Drain and reserve the juice.
• Brown sugar – This will give the chicken a nice caramelized flavor.
• Soy sauce – I recommend using low sodium so that the marinade isn’t too salty.
• Seasonings – Garlic powder, ground ginger, ground black pepper

Can I make this with chicken thighs?

Yes, you can. Honestly, you can use any type of chicken meat that you want. Just make certain that you always check the internal temperature and don’t remove from grill until it’s at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

can i use fresh pineapple?

In a word, no, because you need the pineapple juice from the can to make the marinade.

why should i grill pineapple?

Oh my! Because it is so delicious, that’s why! First of all, the grilled pineapple slices are heated making them extra tender and juicy. But most importantly, the grill caramelizes the sugars in the fruit which only intensifies it’s deliciously sweet flavor.

how to make grilled pineapple chicken

1. Add reserved pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger and black pepper to a large zip top bag and mix together using your hands to dissolve the sugar. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade.
2. Add the chicken to the bag and cover with the marinade. Allow to marinate in the fridge overnight.
3. Cook chicken for 5-8 minutes per side on preheated, oiled grill. Brush with reserved marinade several times while grilling.
4. While the chicken is cooking, add your pineapple rings onto the grill. Pineapple rings are done once they show grill marks.
5. Remove chicken breasts from grill when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Top with pineapple slices and serve.

How to serve grilled pineapple chicken

A great protein is only made better by a great side dish or two!

You can always serve this easy recipe over white or brown rice, but here are a few of our other favorite grilled side dishes to serve with it!

Baked Potatoes on Grill are always a great option because they can go along with almost anything else you are grilling. There is nothing better than a Grilled Corn on the Cob when corn is in season, we sometimes eat it more than once a week!

Great side veggie options on the grill include Cauliflower Steak and Green Beans in Foil Packets or our family favorite Grilled Caesar Salad. The options are endless!

Can i make this chicken as kabobs?

Yes, you can definitely use this marinade to make kabobs! Simply cut up your chicken and pineapple into pieces and add to skewers to cook instead. I recommend cooking the chicken the pineapple on separate skewers since they will cook and be done at different times. You can definitely add some onion and sweet red bell pepper pieces to the chicken skewers for a little extra flavor.

what should the internal temperature of grilled chicken be?

Use an instant read meat thermometer and always double-check the internal temperature of the chicken to see if it’s done. To be able to pull it and serve, the internal temperature needs to be at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure you don’t grill chicken breasts past that 165 degree Fahrenheit mark or you will be left with dry, chewy chicken breasts and no one wants over cooked chicken!

If you are grilling bone-in chicken thighs, we like to grill them to about 185 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure there isn’t any red left around the bone.

can i use leftover marinade?

Definitely not! Since you’re using raw chicken and putting it into the marinade, you don’t want to take the chance of cross-contamination. Once you’ve used it once, you’ll want to discard the marinade.

how to store leftover grilled chicken

Fridge: Place cooked, cooled grilled chicken in an airtight container into the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I recommend storing the chicken and the pineapple separately.

Freezer: If you would like to freeze grilled chicken, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe airtight container. I do not recommend freezing the grilled pineapple. It is just as easy to open a new can when you plan to eat the chicken. Thaw frozen chicken in the fridge overnight.

how can i use leftover pineapple chicken?

You can do so much! Cut up the pieces and add to salad, or put on bread and make a sandwich. Or, if you’re like me, just reheat it the next day and enjoy that same taste and flavor all over again!

This sweet and savory grilled chicken recipe just screams summer! The chicken is perfectly moist and the sweet, juicy pineapple really takes it over the top.

More easy grilled chicken recipes

• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken is better than takeout and you’re grilling outside instead of heating up your house!
• Get your favorite barbecue sauce ready to go for juicy BBQ Chicken on Grill!
• Beer Can Chicken on the Grill is a great way to meal prep for the busy week ahead.

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5 from 6 votes

Grilled Pineapple Chicken Recipe

Quick and easy marinated chicken breasts topped with a grilled pineapple slice.

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cook:15 minutes mins

Marinating Time:8 hours hrs

Total:8 hours hrs 25 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 8 ounces canned pineapple rings juice drained and reserved
• ▢ ¼ cup brown sugar packed
• ▢ ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ginger powder
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

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Instructions

• In a large plastic Ziploc bag mix together the pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger and black pepper. Smush the bag with your hands to dissolve the sugar. Reserve 1/2 c. marinade. Reserve the pineapple rings.
• Place the chicken breasts into the marinade. Squeeze out any air in bag, seal and place in refrigerator overnight.
• Preheat grill to 350 degree. Rub grates with oil or preheat grill pan on oven over medium high heat.
• Remove chicken breasts from marinade. Shake off excess. Place on grill and grill 5-8 minute per side or in grill pan. Brush with the reserved marinade several times while grilling.
• While chicken is grilling, place pineapple rings onto the grill and allow to cook until hot and the slices show grill marks then remove from grill.
• Remove chicken breasts from grill when internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Top with pineapple slices and serve.

Tips

Nutrition estimation is calculated using all of the marinade. You will not use all of it because you discard it when you grill the chicken.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 228kcal (11%), Carbohydrates: 25g (8%), Protein: 25g (50%), Fat: 3g (5%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Cholesterol: 72mg (24%), Sodium: 629mg (27%), Potassium: 535mg (15%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 23g (26%), Vitamin A: 62IU (1%), Vitamin C: 7mg (8%), Calcium: 30mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.